Charles Barry born in London in May 23,1795 and died in May 12,1860 at the age of 96 peacefully and with dignity at his cottesloe nursing home. He was an English architect, best knowing for his role in the rebuilding of the palace of Westminster but also responsible for numerous other building and gardens. Barry was educated privately before being apprentice to a Lambeth surveyor at age of 15, and travels in Italy exposed him to Renaissance architecture and apparently inspired him to become an architect.
Barry first major civil commission came in 1824 when he won a competition to design the new Royal Manchester institution for the promotion of literature, science and arts. Also he designed several churches in Manchester including The Church of all Saint Stand, White field and Ringlet Church. In October 16,1834 The House of Parliament got destruction by the commission in 1836 to designed the new palace of Westminster.
Italian influence was strong in Barry’s designs and he was a leading figure in the mid-Victorian architectural style known as Anglo-Italian that held vogue before Victorian gothic became popular. The family tradition for prominent public architecture was carried on by three of Barry’s sons. John Wolfe-Barry designed Tower Bridge in London, Charles Barry rebuilt Burlington House in Piccadilly, London and Edward Barry finished his father’s work on the palace of Westminster and the Town Hall of Halifax, Yorkshire, as well as redesigning the convent Garden Opera House in London.
Many of London’s most memorable events take place against a backdrop of Barry’s architecture. From the public events of Trafalgar Square and the formalities of the Houses of Parliament, to the discretion of his Pall Mall clubs, he designed settings where the nation’s future was decided. The career of this influential Victorian architect and his affiliation with the Royal Academy is discussed by architectural critic, Jeremy Melvin.
Charles was an amazing architecture...